As the Taoiseach is aware, there is overcrowding in every prison in the State at present. That has consequences for the prisoners but also for the prison officers. While punishment has to be part of the prison experience, it is also essential that we address rehabilitation and deter recidivism. We have only two open prisons in the State. Shelton Abbey in Arklow is one of them. It works with Tosú on some excellent programmes in educating, training and rehabilitating a number of prisoners, working with local employer…

I welcome the Taoiseach’s continued engagement with President Zelenskyy, our continued strong support for the people of Ukraine and our condemnation of Russian aggression. I am sure the Taoiseach agrees with me that under no circumstances should Russia ever have a veto on Irish foreign security or defence policy. On practical examples of action that could be taken, in 1990, when Charles Haughey was Taoiseach, Ireland led when it came to German reunification and a united Germany’s membership of the European Union. T…

I thank the Minister for taking this very important debate on a critical issue not only to our economy, but also our society. I also welcome Mr. Francie Gorman, president of the IFA. I have had a lot of very close interaction with both Wicklow and Wexford IFA as well as Macra na Feirme and the other farm organisations. I am delighted that the first female deputy president Ms Alice Doyle is of course from my neck of the woods and it is important we address the role of women in agriculture as well. We are speaking ab…

This is a long-running saga impacting on the Coast Guard station in Courtown. The Coast Guard at this station serves the coast of north Wexford and south Wicklow. More than 20 individuals regularly and bravely serve our communities in that area. The current old rocket cart station is one of the oldest in the country. It is a limestone building with a very rich history - it was unsuccessfully raided for arms during the War of Independence - but is currently no longer suitable for use because it was meant for single …

I thank the Minister of State. As he can imagine, my frustration is minimal by comparison with that of the Coast Guard and those who support and work with it in Courtown. It serves from Cahore right up to Arklow and beyond. The latest development does represent progress. Although the Minister of State cannot give me a complete timetable, he said the project will be completed by the time the lease for the parochial hall in Courtown will have expired. We are two years into a five-year lease, so I anticipate that sinc…

The OPW would have got it a lot cheaper ten years ago, when it started.

In the recently published HSE capital plan, there is no mention of the planned primary care centre for Gorey. While primary care centres are enormously successful, this has been promised since 2010. During the lifetime of the previous Seanad, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, took four Commencement matters from me on this, and she took a Topical Issue earlier this year. There has been no progress on the part of the HSE. When the former Minister, Stephen Donnelly, met HSE estates in November 2023, it indicated t…

We have had no progress.

Specifically on the work of NESC, similar to Deputy Lahart, I welcome the broad consideration it has given to many issues. As the Taoiseach mentioned, it is carrying out work on artificial intelligence. Critical to this is ensuring we have the necessary infrastructure in place to support a modern digital economy. This includes the construction of data centres. Data centres have got bad rap in many places. On foot of launching the new Echelon data centres in Arklow on Friday, the Taoiseach is aware how these centres…

If it is agreeable, I will be sharing time with Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere. There may have been a mix-up in respect of the time. I wish the Minister, Deputy Lawless, and the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, well. I yesterday had the privilege of sitting in on the event organised by the Irish Universities Association at which the Minister set out his priorities for the higher education sector. I welcome his commitment to addressing the core funding issue, which is critical. I look forward to the necessary implement…

Specifically on Question No. 101, I welcome the fact the Minister has stated clearly it is a priority to continue with the basic income for artists scheme. I agree with Deputy Ó Snodaigh that we are coming very quickly towards August. As a first priority for the 2,000 recipients of the basic income for artists scheme there needs to be an indication as to whether it will be continued for the same 2,000 people. We also need to have certainty on whether the current scheme will be extended or will it be opened to many …

I appreciate the answers the Minister has given and I appreciate that he will make an announcement. I understand he is awaiting the second report but in the first report, as the Minister acknowledged, quantitatively and qualitatively the basic income scheme for artists was viewed as a significant success. It is important for those in receipt of it that some indication is given to them as to whether after August they will be in a position to be able to continue with the basic income for artists scheme or whether the…

I know how committed the Minister of State is to the ideals of the European Union and to the peace and prosperity project it continues to be. Our statements today are very important, particularly as we prepare for Ireland's hosting of the EU Presidency during the latter part of 2026. It should be noted that under our Presidency in 1990, German reunification occurred. We saw in 2004 the largest accession to the EU, including of countries in central and eastern Europe. I hope in 2026 that we continue to support Ukrai…

It is critical that we ensure in the funding under the next EU budget that the multiannual financial framework is sufficient to support a number of areas that are critical to this country. We need to have a fully funded Common Agricultural Policy. With regard to Europe's competitiveness, the Union's research budget should be sufficiently well funded. On the opportunities that are available to people and the DiscoverEU programme, which is currently only available to 35,000 18-year-olds, we should set a goal of ensur…

I thank the Taoiseach for his personal interest in the subject and in the potential and opportunities that artificial intelligence presents in so many aspects of Irish life. The fact that there are references to AI and digitalisation within the programme for Government including, as the Taoiseach referenced, the improvements to public services, means it is going to be critical. Our challenge, as the point was made, is how we govern the roll-out of this new technology, not just at a national or European level but, i…

Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for welcoming my friends from Tara Hill national school. We are all rightly proud of the very innovative and dynamic film, television and animation production sector here in Ireland. There was cross-party support in the previous Oireachtas, under the audiovisual media services directive, for the creation of a levy on streaming services to support the telling of Irish stories. We read this morning that the UK cross-party committee on culture, media and sport is calling for the introduc…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, for taking this debate. It is particularly important in the context of the biggest challenge facing this country, which is housing. Whether it is the challenge of the cost of connection fees for individuals, which Deputy Lawlor has raised, or indeed for developers trying to build a new estate, some of the amounts are eye-watering. In many cases Uisce Éireann is not willing to negotiate even phased payments. It is my view that every State agency should be contributing…

I am grateful to the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, for taking this Topical Issue. It concerns introduction of a youth culture card which, as the Minister of State will be aware, we have committed to in the programme for Government. I championed this in terms of our manifesto at the general election. This is something we believe is critical to ensure young people have access to the arts, cultural events and cultural activities. This is supported strongly by the National Youth Council of Ireland and by many youth…

I thank the Minister of State for his kind words. It was a privilege and pleasure to work with him on the previous arts committee in a very collaborative way. I hope the new arts and culture committee will look at this commitment in the programme for Government as a priority. It is welcome that the Minister has indicated that his Department will carry out assessments as to how this culture card will operate in practice. I appreciate that there may be a cost to the State but that is why I also suggested that we look…

I agree with colleagues that this is an existential threat to our economy and to society more generally. It is rather surprising that the party of Eisenhower and Reagan is now led by an individual who is moving towards protectionist policies that were never part of the Republican tradition in the United States. I hope that those within the Republican party who believe in business might try to convince President Trump of the errors of these actions. As so many have said, there are no winners as a result of tariffs. …